Lead member: Portfolio Holder for Children and Education

Contact: Tanya Miles, Executive Director - People

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet considered the information in the report and supported the work of Shropshire’s Fostering Services (as set out in more detail within the Appendix) in fulfilling the Council’s statutory and regulatory requirements.

The Portfolio Holder for Children and Education presented the report which provided an overview of the activity, data and performance of Shropshire Council’s Fostering Services known as Children’s Placement Services from the 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.

Members expressed their gratitude for the work the team had done and thanked those foster carers who continue to support children in need.

Following a question regarding the recruitment of foster carers, Sonya Miller, Associate Director of Children’s Services and Safeguarding acknowledged the aging population of mainstream foster carers and connected carers in Shropshire. She advised that there was a recruitment strategy in place and a new marketing campaign would be launched in the new year. A benchmarking exercise had also been carried out to review the fees and allowances for foster carers to bring these in line with neighbouring authorities.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet considered the information in the report and supported the work of Shropshire’s Fostering Services (as set out in more detail within the Appendix) in fulfilling the Council’s statutory and regulatory requirements.